Returning to a location you've photographed multiple times can feel like hitting replay, but it’s actually one of the best ways to push your creativity. Each visit, approached thoughtfully, can challenge you in fresh ways and help you find new images even in familiar scenes.
Coming to you from Gary Gough, this practical video emphasizes why revisiting locations is crucial for growth as a photographer. Gough heads out to Rattray Lighthouse at sunrise, demonstrating firsthand how arriving at different times or under various weather conditions instantly changes the photographic potential of a scene. He highlights the subtle yet powerful impacts of tides, sunrise lighting, and atmospheric elements like fog, proving that these shifts in conditions significantly alter how you see and photograph a subject. Instead of settling for predictable shots, Gough adapts quickly—exploring patterns in sand reflections or adjusting compositions as the sun moves—showing you why flexibility is essential. He underscores that familiarity doesn’t have to breed repetition, but instead can enhance creativity and lead to better understanding of photography fundamentals.
Gough also makes a compelling case against shooting obvious, isolated subjects like lone trees or lighthouses without context. Rather than capturing the subject directly, he advises including the surrounding landscape, making the subject a small but meaningful part of a larger composition. This shift in approach encourages you to think critically about framing and scale, making your images more compelling and thoughtful. Another insightful tip involves experimenting with shutter speeds and unusual camera heights. By playing with fast exposures or very long shutter speeds, Gough illustrates how different techniques can dramatically alter the mood and storytelling potential of your photos. Lowering the camera or adjusting its angle breaks the habit of conventional eye-level shooting, challenging you to consider perspectives most photographers overlook. These small but significant adjustments are exactly what keeps revisits productive.
Throughout the session, Gough actively tests ideas without certainty of success, such as deliberately composing shots with empty skies or minimal foregrounds, pushing himself beyond comfortable routines. This experimentation drives home his core message: you grow most as a photographer when you step into the unfamiliar, even in familiar surroundings. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Gough.
And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial, "Photographing the World: Japan II - Discovering Hidden Gems with Elia Locardi!”
